Therapeutic unit



June 7, 1960 D. LICHTENSTEIN ET AL 2,939,454

THERAPEUTIC UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1957 i 2 m2 sew NQN E Ev Q LwE mm fi VA w 5 ATTQZNEYS June 7, 1960 D. LICHTENSTEINV ETAL2,939,454

THERAPEUTIC UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1957 o I 7 7 QwM 1 6 Qm M M.

PQWEE Eva-5 INVENTORS DAVID L. LlCHTENSTE-(N;

ERNEST P. ceocnzmm BY EARL BONCHEE ATTQRN EYS United States Patentrrmnarnorrc UNIT David L. Lichtenstein, McKeesport, Earl Buncher,,P ittSburgh, and Ernest P. Fedorka,',Elizabeth, Pa., assignors to Miracle-SageCorporation, a corporation of Pennsylvania Z Filed Aug. 27, 1951, Ser.No. 680,486'

1 Claims. (Cl.-128 -33).

This invention appertains to improvements in therapeutic units which areused for-stimulating the flow of blood and relaxing tired muscles in thehuman body and for exercising the body to strengthen the muscles and thenervous. system and to alleviate circulatory disturbances.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a portableunit, having the above purposes and advantages, which maybe easilytransported and used on a chair seat or back or as a foot rest.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide anextremely rigid, durable and effective vibratory therapeutic unit, whichis made of a size that can be easily transported and can be used by aperson while in a sitting or reclining position. v

A further important object of the present invention is to provide avibratory therapeutic unit, which is in the nature of a cushion, andwhich is formed with'a vibration creating means and a vibrationtransmitting means, that is so arranged and disposed that vibratoryimpulses are evenly transmitted throughout the entire unit in a positiveand firm manner so that the entire unit will impart vibratory impulsesof the same even and firm intensity, throughout its entire width andlength, to the portion of the body of the person engaging the unit.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide atherapeutic vibratory unit, which includes a body that is tapered fromone end to its other end in a manner so that it can be disposed againstthe back of a chair and can be engaged by the back of a person in acomfortable and restful position.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide atherapeutic vibratory unit, which essentially comprises a body includingopposing rigid side frame members and having opposing ends, one of theends hav ing a cylindrical housing disposed transversely thereof andwithin which a vibration creating means is operatively mounted, thevibrations from such means being transmitted by the side frames, whichalso provide a rigid support for the unit and prevent the unit frombecoming deformed out of shape, due to pressure of the body or due toaccidental means.

A further important object of the present invention, consonant with theforegoing object, resides in the provision of cross bars between theside frames, such cross bars being disposed adjacent the ends of thebody, and serving as supports for coil springs, which extendlongitudinally between the ends of the body and are disposed adjacentthe front wall thereof, so that the front wall of the unit evenlytransmits the vibratory impulses, while the rest of the unit is notsubjected to undue vibrations.

The foregoing and ancillary objects, including the provision of acompact, exceptionally sturdy, effective and dependable therapeuticvibratory unit, are attained by this invention, the preferred embodimentof which is set forth in the following description and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the therapeutic unit of thisinvention, showing the 'same in one manner we 7 1C of use, wherein theunit is seated against the back of a chair, with the user having hisback resting against the front of the unit; 7

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the therapeuti unit, with portionsthereof broken away to illustrate the interior construction andparticularly to illustrate the means for transmitting the vibratoryimpulses evenly and firmly throughout the unit;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure2'; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, thetherapeutic vibratory unit 10 includes a pair of opposing rigid sideframe members 12 and 14,

which are interconnected and held apart in spaced relation by cross rods16 and 18. As shown particularly in Figure 4, each of the side framemembers includes a straight rod 20, which is formed integral at its endswith semicircular end portions 22 and 24, that are formed integral withan inclined rod 26, which extends inwardly from the end 24 to the end22. The end portion 24 constitutes the major end, while the end portion22 constitutes the minor end. 1 Thus, the side frame members are formedfrom a one-piece rod, which is of a substantially looped configuration,having a semicircular major end 24, which is larger in size, and asemicircular minor end 22. The rod 20 constitutes the back of thesideframe members, while the rod 26 constitutes the front thereof, as willbe more fully described. The interconnecting and rigidifying cross rods16 and 18 are disposed between the side frame members 12 and 14 adjacentthe major and the minor ends 24 and 22, respectively. Suitable bracingrods 28 are provided between the rod sections 20 and 26 and extend fromtheir ends, which are disposed substantially adjacent the cross rods 16and 18, to a point intermediate the length of the front rod section 26,as shown in Figure 4.

The side frame members 12 and 14 and their asso ciated bracing and crossrods 16 and 18 constitute a frame or a body, which is also composed of aflexible covering 30, that encircles the end portions and also overliesthe side frames so as to substantially completely close the side framesand provide a chamber 32. The covering 30 may be formed from anysuitable material, such as plastic, fabric or the like and constitutesthe exterior of the unit.

A cylindrical housing or casing 34 is transversely disposed at the majorend of the, body and is secured at its ends within the major'endportions 24 of the side frame members, as shown in Figure 2. Theopposing ends of the housing 34 are provided with end walls 36 and 38,which are centrally apertured, as at 40, to ventilate the housing to theatmosphere. It is to be noted that the covering 30 substantiallyoverlies the end plates 36 and 38, except for openings 42 formed in thecovering in alignment with the apertures 40 for ventilation purposes.

A ring or collar 44, which is preferably formed from wood or similarmaterial, is fixed by screws 46 concentrically within the housing 34and, preferably, adjacent the center thereof. An electric motor 48,which is of conventional construction and operation, is securely heldwithin the ring 44 and is provided on its armature shaft 50 with aneccentric weight 52, which constitutes a source of vibratory impulses.The motor is energized from a suitable power source through the medium.of conductors 54, which are passed through the aperture and the endplate 38. (For the purpose of controlling the magnitude of the vibratoryimpulses, a rheostat 56 is provided and is operatively connected in theconduc tors 54 in order to control thespeed of the motor 48;

The outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical casing" or housing '34is encased or enclosed by a semicircular pad '58,which 'ispreferablyformed of multi-cellular resilient material and the covering 30encircles or envelops the pad 58, as shown in Figure ,4. In suitablefashion, a semicireiilarpad er) of material similar to the pad 58isprovided to definethe'ininor 'end of "the body and is disposed aroundthe end portion 22 of the side frame members.

i .A web-likerein'forcingsheet '62 of suitable material is secured tothe rear ro'd "sections 20 of "the side frame members and extendslongitudinally and transversely thereof from the housing 34 upto thecenter 'of the minor end portions 22 of the side frame members. Thereinforcing sheet 62 is disposed parallel with and substantiallyadjacent 'tothe backwall '64-'o'f the covering 30.

It can be seen that, when the motor 48 is energized, the eccentricweight 52 set up vibratory impulses, which aretransmitted to the housing34 to the rigid side frame members 12 and 14 and by such side framemembers are transmitted throughout the unit. To assist in thetransmission of the vibrations, coil springs 66 are provided and thesprings are disposed and arranged so that they extend in parallel andtrean'sversely spaced relationship longitudinally of the unit.

The opposiug'ends of'thecoil springs are anchored on bars '68 and 70which extend transversely of the side frame members and are suitablysecured to the front rod sections 26 thereof. Ihe cross bars 68 and 70are disposed transversely of the body at the opposing endsthereofand'are spaced inwardly 'from'the ends, as shown in .Figure 4. .Aresilient pad '72 overlies the coil springs and .is interposed betweenthe springs and the front wall 74 of the cover 30. "The opposing ends ofthe pad are suitablysecured to the outer faces of the cross bars '68 and70.

For thermal purposes, a heating element, which may be in the nature of aheating coil 76, is disposed within the chamber, which is defined by therear and front walls, 64 and 74, respectively, of the cover. The heatingelement is energized by conductors '78, which are provided with asuitable switch means 80, as 'shown'in Figure 2.

In one use of thetherapeu'tic unit, as shown in Figure 1, the unit isdisposed against the back 82 of a conventional chair and is arranged sothat the major end thereof rests on the seat of the chair, with theminor end extending upwardly. The unit, in such environmental use, hasits straight back wall 64 resting against'the back 82 of the chair withits front wall inclined upwardly and inwardly so as to provide a veryrestful and comfortable support for the back'of a user. The vibrationscreated by the eccentric weight 52 are transmitted through the housing54 to the side frame members and to the springs 66, which evenly andfirmly transmit the vibrations throughout the unit and particularly overthe front wall 74 thereof so as to impart a very uniform, firm butgentle vibration to the back of the body of the user, thereby impartinga soothing relaxing effect upon the body. The desired rate of vibratoryoscillation may be adjusted by means of the rheostat 56 and the switch80 may be used to control the heating element 76.

It is to be particularly noted that the side frame members andassociated interconnection and bracing constitute a body, which is alsocomposed of the covering 30. The body is shaped so that it has a majorand a minor end, being composed of a straight back wall and a front wallwhich is inclined inwardly from the major end to the minor end. Thisparticular shape is of importance, as shown in Figure l, in providing avery restful support for a user, particularly when the unit is used whenaper'son is in a seated position on a chair.

The unit may also be used when a person is in a reclining position and,in such instance, the major end will provide a pillow and will permitthe body of the user to be reclined in a very restful and well-supportedposition. Inihe latter respect, the side frames will give the desiredrigidity to the unit so as to provide a very firm support for "the "body'of the user. The side frame members also prevent the accidentaldeformation of the unit which could Well occur, if the unit were of asupple cushion type.

It can thus be seen that the therapeutic units or vibrator can be easilyand elfedtiv'el'y used for stimulating the flow of blood and --relaxingthe tired muscles in the human body and for exercising the body tostrengthen the musclesin' the nervous system and may be also effectivelyused'in conjunction w ith re'ducing exercises or treatments to effectaiessin weight.

While the preferred embodiment and environmental "use of the.therapeutic unit has been-described and illustrated herein, other formsand environmental uses may be realized as come "within dhe scope andspirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A therapeutic unit com rising a body having a straight back wall 'andsemicircular ends and a front wall inclined inwardly irom'one end to theother end and including substantially triangular open, rigid side framemembers, a cylindrical housin transversely mounted in and extendingacross the one end, vibration creating means operatively mounted "in thehousing, cross bar's Secured between the side frame members adjacent the'ends, coil springs extending longitudinally of the body and having endsanchored tothe cross bars, said body being composed of a flexible"covering member forming a chamber within which the 'spr'ings aredisposed, said flexible covering member enclosing the housing and theside frame members and said ends being defined by sctnicircularr'esilient pads enclosed by the flexible member and one o'f sai'd padsenclosing the outer peripheral portion of the housing, and said springsand cross bars being coplanar and lying adjacent the front wall and aresilient pad overlying the springs and interposed between the frontwall and the springs.

2. A therapeutic unit comprising a body having a straight back wall andsemicircular ends and a front wall inclined inwardly from one end to theother end and including substantially triangular open, rigid side framemembers, a cylindrical housing transversely mounted in the one end,vibration creating means operativ'elymountd in and extending across thehousing, c'r'oss bars secured between the side frame members adjacenttheends, coil springs extending longitudinally of the body and having endsanchored to the cross bars, said body being composed of a flexiblecoverihg'inember forming a chamber within which the springs aredisposed, said flexible covering member enclosing the housing and theside frame members and said ends being defined 'by semicircularresilient pads enclosed by the flexible covering member and one'of saidpads enclosing the outer peripheral portion of the housing, and saidsprings and cross bars being coplanar and lying adjacent the front wall,and reinforcing means extending between the side frame members adjacentthe back Wall of the body.

3. A therapeutic unit comprising a pair of substantially rigid, opentriangular side frames disposed in spaced, parallelrelationship, each ofsaid frames having a rounded major end and a rounded minor end, saidends of each frame being connected by straight rear bars and diagonallyextending front bars that slope from the major end to the minor end,transverse bars connecting the side frames and secured to the front barsadjacent the ends of theframes, coil springs connected at their opposingends to the transverse bars and arranged in parallel, transverse] yspaced relation and forming a resilientfront wall,- a cylindricalhousing mounted between and fitted in the inner surfaces of the majorends of the names, vibration creating means operatively mounted in thehousing, and a flexible covering, enclosing the frames and overlying theresilient front wall'and forminga rearwall.

4. A therapeutic unit comprising a pair of substantially rigid, opentriangular side frames disposed in spaced, parallel relationship, eachof said frames having a rounded major end and a rounded minor end, saidends of each frame being connnected by straight rear bars and diagonallyextending front bars that slope from the major end to the minor end,transverse bars connecting the side frames and secured to' the frontbars adjacent the ends of the frames, coil springs connected at theiropposing ends to the transverse bars and arranged in parallel,transversely spaced relation and forming a resilient front wall, acylindrical housing mounted between and fitted in the inner surfaces ofthe major ends of the frames, vibration creating means operativelymounted in the housing, and a flexible covering enclosing the frames andoverlying the resilient front wall and forming a rear wall,

and a reinforcing sheet connected between the straight rear bars of theframes and forming a rear wall for the housing, with the coveringoverlying the reinforcing sheet.

5. A therapeutic unit comprising a pair of substantially rigid, opentriangular side frames disposed in spaced, parallel relationship, eachof said frames having a rounded major end and a rounded minor end, saidends of each frame being connected by straight rear bars and diagonallyextending front bars that slope from the major end to the minor end,transverse bars connecting the side frames and secured to the front barsadjacent the ends of the frames, coil springs connected at theiropposing ends to the transverse bars and arranged in parallel,transversely spaced relation and forming a resilient front wall, acylindrical housing mounted between and fittedin the inner surfaces ofthe major ends of the frames, vibration creating means operativelymounted in the housing, and a flexible covering enclosing the frames.and overlying the resilient front wall and forming a rear wall, each ofsaid frames being composed of a one-piece, rod member and brace meansbeing provided between the front and rear bars of each of the frames.

6. A therapeutic unit comprising a pair of side frame members disposedin spaced apart, parallel relationship, each of said frame membershaving a front bar and a rear bar and opposing ends, cross barsconnecting the frame members and secured to the front bars adjacent theends, coil springs extending between the cross bars and disposed inparallel spaced relationship and defining a resilient front wall, meansconnecting the rear bars of the frame members, a vibrating meansoperatively mounted between adjoining ends of the frame members and afabric type covering enclosing the frame members, ends and front andrear walls.

7. A therapeutic unit comprising a pair of side frame members disposedin spaced apart, parallel relationship,

reach of said frame members having a front bar and a rear bar andopposing ends, cross bars connecting the frame members and secured tothe front bars adjacent the ends, coil springs extending between thecross bars and disposed in parallel spaced relationship and defining aresilient front wall, means connecting the rear bars of the framemembers, a vibrating means operatively mounted between adjoining ends ofthe frame members and a fabric type covering enclosing the framemembers, ends and front and rear walls, and a thin resilient padinterposed between the covering and the coil springs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,222,175 Bobrick Apr. 10, 1917 2,425,655 Tomkins Aug. 12, 19472,800,897 Ross July 30, 19,57 2,833,276 Murphy May 6, 1958

